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Michelle and Barack Obama Announced a Heartbreaking Family Loss on Instagram

Michelle and Barack Obama shared some devastating news over the weekend — the family's dog, Bo, has passed away following his battle with cancer. He was 12 years old.

On Saturday, the Obamas announced the heartbreaking loss with emotional tributes dedicated to the sweet pup on Instagram. "Today our family lost a true friend and loyal companion," the former president captioned a post alongside a series of photos, including one of him and Bo running through the halls of the White House. "For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives—happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between."

"He tolerated all the fuss that came with being in the White House, had a big bark but no bite, loved to jump in the pool in the summer, was unflappable with children, lived for scraps around the dinner table, and had great hair," Barack continued, concluding: "He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him dearly."

Michelle also mourned the family's loss, revealing that Bo was intended to be a present to their daughters, Sasha and Malia, following the 2008 campaign trail. "We promised our daughters that we would get a puppy after the election. At the time, Bo was supposed to be a companion for the girls," she wrote of the black and white Portuguese Water Dog. "We had no idea how much he would mean to all of us."

Reflecting fondly on the family memories they shared with Bo, Michelle went on to note that the pandemic reunited them again. "This past year, with everyone back home during the pandemic, no one was happier than Bo," she said. "All his people were under one roof again—just like the day we got him. I will always be grateful that Bo and the girls got to spend so much time together at the end."

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Michelle added that they're "thankful he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch." She signed her message from "Michelle, Barack, Malia, Sasha, and Sunny." Sunny is the Obama's second dog, who joined the family in 2013.

"Sunny is the perfect little sister for Bo — full of energy and very affectionate — and the First Family picked her name because it fit her cheerful personality," the White House previously stated, according to the Presidential Pet Museum.